Improvement in folding commodes



Roscoe G. ELDER.

Improvement in FoldingCemr'rloclI .N0. 121,344. f Patented NOV; 28; 1871.

EoscoE e. ELDER, on NEw YoEx, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN FOLDING QOMMODES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 121,344, dated November 28, 1871.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RoscoE G. ELDER, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Folding Commode; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable those skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, in which drawing- Figure 1 is an elevation of my commode looking from the rear, the commode being closed and its legs extended. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the commode, showing the same open. Fig. 3 is a cross-section, showing the same in a folded condition.

Similar letters indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to commodes for children or other persons; and consists in so constructing and arranging the several parts that, when not in use as a commode, it may serve for a portable foot-stool, or be folded up and packed for transportation in atraveling-bag or in a trunk, or be stowed away in a closet of the house.

In carrying out myinvention Iform a commodeseat, A, to one edge of which I hinge a cover, B, whose diameter is greater than the commode, so that its edges extend beyond the commode on all sides. The hinges C C are connected to the cover in such a manner that the overhang D of the cover on the rear will, when the cover is raised, as in Fig. 2, come against the rear vertical edge of the commode and form a stop to the further backward movement of the cover, and thereby save the hinges Jonri strain. The cover consequently, when it is raised, forms a back to the commode-seat A. Across the under side of the commode A, at each end, I have arranged cleats E F, to which I hinge the leg-frames G H, respectively, in such a manner that the leg-frames can be folded inwardly one over the other, the cleat F being made deeper than the cleat E, and the leg-frame H being shorter than the leg-frame G for that purpose. The leg-frames G H are kept in their extended position, so as not to become folded together by accident, by means of folding stops or curtain pieces I I, which are hinged, one to the front edge and the other to the rear edge of the commode A on its under side, and between the cleats in which the leg-frames are attached, in such a manner that they can only be folded inwardly. The legs of the leg-frames G H are arranged so as to be at the corners of the commode, and, consequently, when the legs are extended, as in Figs. l and 2, the curtain-pieces I I swing down between the leg-frames and prevent them turning inward on their hinges 5 and it is only when the curtain pieces I I are themselves swung inward that the legs and leg-frames can be folded. The cover B is upholstered in a suitable manner, so as to present aneat appearance.

My invention is suitable for household use in the two-fold capacity of a foot-stool or bench, and a commode, while it can also be folded, as shown in Fig. 3, in a small compass, and packed away out of sight when not required for use.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The commode-seat A, combined with the hinged cover B, the hinged leg-frames G H, and hinged curtain pieces I I, substantially as described.

ROSGOE G. ELDER.

Witnesses W. HAUFF, C. WAHLERS. 

